Collapsible baby jogging stroller

ABSTRACT

A three-wheeled jogging stroller with demountable wheels, a removable cloth-like seat and a collapsible frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a primary structural rear axle assembly having a member of an enlarged diameter tubular construction with couplers at opposite ends thereof for supporting demountable or removable large diameter spoked wheel pneumatic tires with the axles thereof canted so that the wheels are downwardly divergent relative to the ground. The rear axle assembly has pivotally coupled thereto a pair of upright support members and a fork assembly. A pair of generally parallel fork members support the removable front wheel at one end thereof, while at the other end, the fork members are pivotally coupled to the rear axle member by means so that the pivotable coupling is displaced, or offset, a given distance from the axis of the rear axle member so that, on folding, the fork and the upright support members are generally parallel to one another. The handlebar assembly includes a first generally U-shaped handlebar member and a second tubular portion including first and second tubes having first ends thereof pivotally coupled to support members attached at the forward end of the fork, the other ends of each of the tubes being fixedly coupled to an interconnect member, to which is pivotally couples the upper U-shaped handlebar portion which includes handle gripping material thereabout. The seat is releasably attached to the frame assembly to that the center of gravity of an infant is over the rear axle, while the handlebar assembly lies in a plane generally in line with the axis of the front wheel.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/304,924 filed on Sep.13, 1994 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,033 on Jul. 16, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to baby carriages or strollers, and moreparticularly to a stroller for an infant, which stroller may be utilizedduring jogging exercise.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Baby strollers are conventionally configured with a seating area for theinfant and three or four wheel assemblies, which are sometimes arrangedin pairs of wheels per assembly. In recent times, with physical fitnessin mind, strollers have evolved into devices when can be utilized whilerunning or jogging. Such vehicles are referred to as jogging strollers,whereby the parent, or other person, while pushing the infant therein,may conveniently exercise by jogging, or even running.

To provide a stable platform for the stroller, the stroller designincludes pneumatic spoked wheel tires of large diameter, approximatingthat of an elementary school child's bicycle. Furthermore, to provide alightweight stroller, the construction of the seating portion is usuallya flexible cloth-like material, while the frame assembly is formed of atubular construction, such as aluminum tubes, which provide strength, aswell as a light weight for the vehicle. Some such jogging strollers maybe disassembled or folded, or a combination of both, for storage ortransportation, that is, it a stowable.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided ajogging stroller with removable wheels and a collapsible frame which maybe readily assembled and disassembled, which stroller is compact, stableand lightweight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a three-wheeledjogging stroller with demountable or removable wheels, a removablecloth-like seat and a collapsible frame assembly. The frame assemblyincludes a primary structural rear axle assembly having a member of anenlarged diameter tubular construction with couples at opposite endsthereof for supporting demountable or removable large diameter spokedwheel pneumatic tires with axles thereof canted so that the wheels aredownwardly divergent relative to the ground. The rear axle assembly haspivotally coupled thereto a pair of upright support members and a forkassembly. A pair of generally parallel fork members support theremovable front wheel of the three wheels at one end thereof, while atthe other end, the fork members are pivotally coupled to the rear axlemember by means of crank or clevis members so that the pivotablecoupling is displaced, or offset, a given distance from the axis of therear axle member, so that, on folding, the fork and the upright supportmembers are generally parallel to one another. The handlebar assemblyincludes a first generally U-shaped handlebar member and a secondtubular portion including first and second tubes having first endsthereof pivotally coupled to support members attached at the forward endof the fork, the other ends of each of the tubes being fixedly coupledto an interconnect member, to which is pivotally coupled the free endsof the arms of the upper U-shaped handlebar portion which includeshandle gripping material thereabout as well as a brake lever for acaliper type brake which engages the rim of the front wheel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the collapsible baby joggingstroller according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible frame of the stroller ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the collapsible frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the collapsible frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the collapsible frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of theinterconnection mechanism showing portions of the upright support tubesand the handlebar frame portions;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of frame tube portions and theinterconnection mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connection of a rear wheel tothe frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connecting spring and pin typesaddle clamp used for the rear wheel connection of FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10 through 12 are side elevational views of the frame of FIG. 2,with the wheels removed and in various stages of collapsing for storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown a three-wheeled jogging stroller, generally designated 20,which includes a wheel support frame assembly, generally designated 22;upright tubes 24, 26, pneumatic tire wheels 28-30, a two part tubularhandlebar assembly, generally designated 32, 34, and a flexiblecloth-like seat 38.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wheel support assembly 22 includes aprimary structural rear axle assembly 40, and a front wheel 30 forkconsisting of first and second generally parallel fork tubes 42a, 42b.The rear axle assembly has a relatively large diameter (2.5-4.0'") tube40a, with a plurality of fixed couplers attached thereto, the couplersincluding first and second upright 24, 26 couplers 44, 46, and forkmember 42a, 42b couplers 52a, 52b. The rear wheels 28, 29, as will behereinafter described, include detachable axle stubs which are insertedinto opposite ends of the rear axle assembly 40 at an angle to the axisof the tube 40a so that the rear wheels 28, 29 are canted, that is, byreference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the planes of the wheels are downwardlydivergent to assist in providing stability to the stroller 20.

The seat 38 is so positioned relative to the frame that the center ofgravity of an infant seated therein lies virtually directly over themain structural unit, that is, the rear axle assembly 40. Viewed inanother way, this center of gravity of an infant in the seat 38 is ingeneral vertical alignment with the axes of the rear wheels 28, 29.

The upright tubes 24, 26 are generally identically configured anddimensioned tubular aluminum members securely attached at the lower endthereof to couplers 44, 46, which may be of any convenientconfiguration, but, in the embodiment illustrated are formed of atubular base portion 44a (and 46a) which encircles, and is secured to,the structural tube 40a, with a tubular stub 44b (and 46b) secured tothe perimeter of portion 44a (and 46a) at an angle less than ninetydegrees. The two stub portions 44b and 46b have first ends of theupright tubes fixedly secured, with the stub portions having a slightangle thereto resulting in the uprights being upwardly convergent, inrear view (See FIG. 4). At the distal free ends, the upright tubes 24,26 are releasably attached to handlebar interconnectors, generallydesignated 54, 56. The tubular stock used from components 42a, 42b, 32a,32b, 24, 26, and 34 are of the same general diameter (which is muchsmaller than the diameter of the rear axle tube 40a) for reasons whichwill become apparent, and which affects the dimensions of theinterconnector members utilized.

Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, by reference to one interconnector 54,the interconnector 54 has a saddle-shaped main body portion 54a with adepending clevis portion 54b, the portion 54a having a width betweenopposing sidewalls a dimension slightly greater than the diameter of thetubular members forming handlebar tubes 32a and 34a and upright 24. Asshown, the distal end of the upright 24 has a bar-shaped flange portion24a of a thickness less than the diameter of the upright 24 and slightlyless than the distance between opposing sidewalls of the clevis 54b, theflange 24a having an aperture therethrough for alignment with like sizedapertures 55 extending through the walls of the clevis 54b, theapertures being dimensioned for receiving a suitable fastener, such as areleasable coupling pin 57 having a spring loaded ball bearing 57 at theend thereof for enabling captive, yet releasable retention of the flangecoupled to the clevis 24a.

The opposite end of pin 57 is provided with a coil passing therethrough,with one end of a cable attached thereto, the other end of the cablebeing fixedly attached to a convenient part of the adjacent mechanism toprevent misplacing or losing the fastener. Other fasteners are similarlyconfigured with flexible attachment means to prevent loss, and will notbe further described in detail.

The end of the handlebar tube 32a is positioned in the bight portion ofthe saddle member 54 and suitably fixedly secured thereto, such as withfirst and second rivets 58. The pivotable end of handlebar tube 34a islikewise provided with a flange 34d of dimensions and configurationsimilar to flange 24a. At the forward end (forward being the normaldirection of travel of the stroller 20) of the interconnector 54, thereare another pair of aligned apertures in opposing sidewalls of the mainbody portion 54a, the centers of these apertures being spaced from theaxis of tube 32a distance slightly greater than the diameter of eithertube, this spacing enabling the two parts 34a and 42a to overly oneanother in generally parallel generally abutting relation to minimizethe overall height of the stroller in its collapsed position.

The flange 34a is received within the clevis 44 and pivotally couplethereto, such a by machine screw member 59. The handlebar member 34 ispivotable from a first operative position as shown in FIG. 6, in whichthe bar portion 34 is received within the length of the saddle opening54a of the clevis 54, in overlying abutting relation with the lowerfixed handlebar tube 32a. Another pair of aligned apertures 61 areformed in opposing sidewalls of the clevis 54 at a position that, withthe two handle bar extension tubes 34 and 32a in overlying abuttingrelation, with a pin 57 passed therethrough, a snug fit is achieved thatis, the pin urges against the upper bar member 34 which urges it againstthe lower bar extension member 32a.

The saddle of the main body portion 54a has a depth and lengthsufficient to enable opposing sidewalls to receive significant lengthsof both handlebar portions snugly and fully therein in the depth-wiseand length-wise directions to provide stability at the coupling locationso that wobbling and rattling is eliminated and the two handlebarportions act as an integral unit during use.

Returning again to FIG. 1 through 5, the push handlebar portion 34 isgenerally U-shaped with opposing sides converging toward the front. Agripping portion 34a is provided at the bight thereof with grippingmaterial 35 wrapped in opposite directions from the center and extendingaround the corners. Centrally located on the bight portion is a lockablebrake lever 63 for operation of a front wheel 30 caliper type brake 65via a brake cable 64. In the operative positions, the lower handlebarextension members 32a and 32b are likewise arranged to be in alignmentwith the side arms of the upper handlebar portion 34 and converge towardthe front wheel 30, at which point the ends thereof are each providedwith plate shaped clevis members 67, 69, which are identical.

The clevis members 67, 69 are saddle-shaped and serve to have fixedlyattached thereto the front ends of the fork members 42a, 42b,respectively, within the saddle, and pivotally attached thereto, theproximate ends of the handlebar portions 32a, 32b, respectively, theclevis members 67, 69 also serve to releasably receive the axle 70 ofthe front wheel 30, with the spacing between members 67, 69 being aboutthe dimension of-the hub of the wheel 30. That attachment of the wheel30 to the clevises 67, 69 is conventional and of the type used inbicycles with quick-release front wheels, that is, there are providedopposing flange projections 67a with cutouts dimensioned for receivingthe axle 70, with the end of axle 70 being provided with a lever arm nutmember 71 for enabling hand-tightening of the axle 70 thereto.

The opposite ends of the fork tubes or members 42a, 42b are providedwith flanged ends similar to those described in conjunction with FIGS. 6and 7, and are pivotably coupled, via screws or the like, to first andsecond spaced clevis members 52a, 52b, which are arms projectingforwardly of the outer perimeter of the structural rear axle assembly40. The dimension from the perimeter is such that, on folding, as willbe hereafter described, the upright tubes 24, 26, when pivoted forward,will overly the fork members 42a, 42b in overlying proximate relation.

A span support member 75, which is formed of a generally trapezoidallyconfigured plate shaped injected plastic material, has the ends thereofbent downwardly and is dimensioned for snugly attaching, such as bywelding or riveting, to opposite sides of the handlebar portions 32a,32b at a point proximate the outer diameter of the front wheel 30, thisspan member providing front end stability. The forward end of theplate-shaped span member 75 is provided with an upraised or bent portion75a which together with the balance of the span member 75, serves as asplash guard in the event the front wheel 30 comes into contact withground water during use.

FIGS. 8 & 9 depict interconnection of the rear wheels to the structuralrear axle assembly 40. The opposite open ends of the rear axle tube 40aare configured for receiving cylindrical block members, such as block80, which is drilled therein a bore 81 at an angle "Z" relative to theaxial centerline of the tube 40a. The axle 83 of the rear wheel 28 isprovided with an inner flange or collar 83, at which a washer 84 servesas one stop for the bushing or hub 85 of the wheel 28, the other endbeing secured by means of a suitable nut 87. The other end of the axle83 is a diameter sufficient to enable snug slidable insertion into (andrelease from) the bore 81. These block 80 configurations result in thedownwardly divergent relationship of the rear wheels 28 and 29 as shownin FIGS. 4 and 5. During assembly, with the axle 83 within bore 81, ahole is drilled through the entire assembly at a location so that acup-shaped recess 80a is formed in the block 80 and an alignedcup-shaped recess 81a is formed in the axle 81, the two cup-shapedopenings, when aligned, forming a circular aperture for insertiontherethrough of a pin 90a of a spring type saddle fastener, generallydesignated 90, shown in FIG. 9.

The fastener 90 includes a steel pin 90a with an enlarged head 90b. Aspring steel wire member 90c is configured as a single generallyU-shaped loop and has the free ends thereof aligned for being pivotallyreceived in opposite ends of an aperture drilled transversely throughthe flange 90b of the fastener 90, with the loop end having a dimensionfor enabling passage therethrough of the other end of the pin 90a. Thespring steel wire member is flexed to the dotted line position show inFIG. 9 for releasing the pin and then pivoted about the axis at theother end. As shown in FIG. 4, these fasteners 90 are likewise flexiblysecured to the frame assembly by suitable lengths of cable or the like.

FIGS. 10 through 12 show the frame assembly at various steps ofdisassembly, with the wheels 28-30 already removed. In FIG. 10, thehandlebar portion 34 is pivoted clockwise into an overlying proximateposition relative to the lower handlebar tube 32a. In FIG. 11, theupright 24 is release at its upper end and pivoted clockwise toward fork42a, whereupon, this pivoting takes place about the interconnectingpivot axis of the flange of fork 42a. In other words, the assemblyincluding axle 40 along with upright 24 pivot, as a unit, until theupright 24 is in overlying approximately parallel relation with the fork42a. The upper folded assembly, consisting of both handlebar portions 34and 32a are then folded or pivoted counterclockwise until the compactframe arrangement of FIG. 12 is achieved. Although not shown, in thefully compact position, the interconnectors 54 and 56 will lie inabutting relation with the structural rear axle assembly 40. All of thepivot connections are such that the pivot axis of any pivotable memberis offset relative to an adjacent interconnected fixed member to enablea low profile compact collapsible frame, wherein the maximum length isslightly greater than the length of the lower handlebar tube 42a andinterconnector 54.

While the description has utilized directional references, such as up,down, right, left, clockwise, etc., it is to be understood that theseterms are utilized with reference to the orientations in the figures andare not intended to be limiting. The construction of the jogger stroller20 is of aluminum tubing which, with the exception of the axle tube 40a,are all of the same diameter, thus effecting economies of assembly.Furthermore, the exception of the handlebar portion 34, all of thetubular stock consists of straight or linear lengths of material. Theinterconnectors, such as 54, 56, 67, etc., are likewise formed ofinjected plastic of wall thickness sufficient to provide the requiredstability at the points of connection. In addition, the interconnectorswhich are configured to include pivot axes for one or more tubes aredimensioned and configured for providing support in the lengthwisedirections of the tubes during operation of the stroller, with thespacing between opposing walls closely approximating the diameter of thetube sections therein for lateral as well a lengthwise stability.

In use, the stroller 20 is stable and efficient in the use of the energyof the operator, whether while walking or jogging. In side elevationalview, as shown in FIG. 1, the sections which make up the handlebar forma generally straight line directed to interconnector 54 at an angle fromthe horizontal, and then the sections from interconnector 54 to thecenter of the front wheel 30 at a substantially lesser angle to thehorizontal. Thus, there is a definite angle between the axis of the rearhandlebar portion 34, and the extension tubes 32a, 32b, however, optimumpushing force toward the axis of the front wheel is nor compromised.

Furthermore, with the large diameter canted rear wheels 28, 29, lateralstability is provided during movement. In addition, as previouslymentioned, with the seat 38 positioned relative to the frame such thatthe center of gravity of an infant seated therein lies virtuallydirectly over, or in general vertical alignment with, the axes of therear wheels 28, 29, the stroller 20, whether being pushed slowly orrapidly, places the majority of the weight of the combination of thestroller and infant just forward of the rear wheels.

Certain approximate dimensions of the collapsible jogger are as follows:

Distance between front and rear axles--30".

Distance between rear wheels--20".

Dimensions unfolded (wheels off)--30"H, 43"L,20"W.

Dimensions folded--36"×20"×7".

Handlebar height--39".

Wheel size--20"R, 16"F.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment, otheradaptations and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stroller for use while walking or running, saidstroller comprising:a rear axle assembly; three wheels; means onopposite ends of said axle assembly for removably supporting a pair ofsaid wheels; a pair of uprights having first ends thereof fixedlycoupled to said axle assembly in proximate relation to the ends thereof;a pair of fork members having first ends thereof pivotally coupled tosaid rear axle assembly proximate the center thereof in generallyparallel relation; coupling means, affixed at the other ends of saidfork members, configured for supporting a third of said wheels; agenerally U-shaped handlebar member configured for gripping by the user;first and second handlebar tubes, first ends of said first and secondhandlebar tubes being pivotally coupled to said coupling means at saidother ends of said fork members; first and second generally identicallyconfigured interconnect members, each of said interconnect membersincluding a) means for fixedly receiving one end of one of said firstand second handlebar tubes; b) means for releasably coupling thereto thefree end of one of said first and second support tubes; and c) means forpivotally coupling thereto the free ends of said upper U-shapedhandlebar portion at a position which enables said handlebar tubes andsaid fork tubes, on folding, to generally overly one another.
 2. Thestroller of claim 1 wherein said uprights, said fork members, saidU-shaped handlebar portion and said handlebar tubes are formed oftubular material of generally the same diameter.
 3. The stroller ofclaim 1 wherein said pair of uprights and said fork members are straightsections of tubular material, with the generally parallel fork membershaving a substantially rectangular outside perimeter.
 4. The stroller ofclaim 1 wherein said interconnector member has a saddle shaped main bodyportion having a depth greater than the combined dimensions of saidhandlebar tube and said free end of said handlebar portion and a lengthsufficient to receive a significant segment of both therein.
 5. Thestroller of claim 1 wherein said interconnector member has a dependingclevis portion for releasable attachment to said other ends of saiduprights.
 6. The frame of claim 1 further including seat means ingenerally vertical alignment with said rear axle assembly.
 7. Acollapsible baby stroller, comprising:three wheels; a rear tubular axlemember with an outside circumference; couplers on opposite ends of saidrear axle member for supporting a pair of said wheels; an upper frameincluding a generally U-shaped handlebar section for gripping by a userand first and second handlebar tubes extending downwardly from saidhandlebar section to front ends; a pair of straight fork tubes havingfront ends and rear ends, the front ends supporting a third one of saidwheels and supporting the front ends of said handlebar tubes and therear ends pivotally coupled near a middle location of said rear axlemember forming a generally parallel relationship between the fork tubeswith a substantially rectangular outside perimeter; and a pair ofupright support tubes having bottom ends coupled near the opposite endsof said rear axle member outside the rear ends of said fork tubes, saidsupport tubes and said fork tubes folding together to a substantiallyparallel relationship while the support tubes from the front ends to therear ends remain on the outside perimeter of said fork tubes.
 8. Thecollapsible baby stroller according to claim 7 wherein said couplerscomprise tubular blocks inserted into the opposite ends of said rearaxle, the blocks including bores, and wherein each of said pair ofwheels includes an axle with a portion insertable into each of saidbores, said axle portion having mating recesses for receiving a pin thatreleasably retains the axle portion within said bore.
 9. The collapsiblebaby stroller according to claim 8 including a spring member having acontact end pivotally contacting the pin, the spring extending from thecontact end partially around the outside circumference of said reartubular axle.
 10. A collapsible frame for a baby stroller, comprising:arear axle; couplers at opposite ends of said rear axle for supporting apair of rear wheels; a pair of straight parallel forks having rear endsattached to a middle portion of said rear axle and front ends supportinga front wheel; a pair of upright support members having first endscoupled to said rear axle; a handlebar assembly supported in an inclinedposition by second ends of said support members, said handlebar assemblyincluding the following: a first generally U-shaped handlebar memberconfigured for gripping by a user; first and second handlebar tubesconnected at first ends to said parallel forks; and first and secondinterconnectors each configured and dimensioned for receiving the secondends of said handlebar tubes and pivotally receiving at opposite ends ofsaid U-shaped handlebar member, said interconnectors being configuredand dimensioned to enable said handlebar member and said handlebar tubesto generally fold over one another.